Long-term Care Speakers

A long-term care speaker is someone who specializes in delivering expert insights, personal stories, or policy perspectives related to long-term care - typically in the context of aging, chronic illness, disability, or caregiving. These speakers might come from a variety of backgrounds, including healthcare, social work, public policy, technology, or lived experience as caregivers themselves.

Unlike general health speakers, long-term care speakers focus specifically on the systems, challenges, and innovations surrounding sustained care over time. This could mean addressing topics like dementia care, home health services, palliative care, elder housing, or caregiver burnout. They often speak at healthcare conferences, virtual summits, nonprofit events, or corporate wellness programs.

Some long-term care speakers are researchers who translate complex data into actionable insights. Others are advocates who push for policy reform or equity in access to care. Still others are entrepreneurs or technologists building tools to support aging populations. What unites them is a deep focus on the long game - how we care for people not just in moments of crisis, but across years or even decades.

In the digital era, many long-term care speakers also appear on podcasts, webinars, and online courses. Their role is not just to inform, but to inspire change - whether that's in a family's approach to caregiving or a startup's product roadmap. They help audiences see both the human and systemic sides of long-term care.

When conversations about aging, caregiving, and chronic illness are dominated by statistics or policy jargon, a long-term care speaker brings the human element back into focus. They're important because they bridge the gap between lived experience and institutional systems.

First, they raise awareness. Many people don't understand the complexity of long-term care until they're in the middle of it - navigating insurance, coordinating home visits, or managing medications for a loved one. A speaker can illuminate these challenges before they become personal crises.

Second, they educate diverse audiences. Whether it's a room full of tech developers building eldercare apps or a group of HR managers designing caregiver leave policies, a long-term care speaker tailors their message to make it relevant and actionable. They translate the needs of aging populations into clear, compelling calls to action.

Third, they influence policy and innovation. Speakers like Ai-jen Poo, who advocates for domestic workers and caregivers, don't just inform - they mobilize. Their talks can shift public opinion, inspire legislation, or spark new business models.

Finally, they validate and empower. For caregivers who feel isolated or overwhelmed, hearing a speaker share similar struggles can be deeply affirming. It reminds them they're not alone, and that their work matters.

In short, a long-term care speaker is important because they make the invisible visible - and the complex, understandable.

Long-term care speakers inform, advocate, and inspire - but their day-to-day contributions vary widely depending on their background and audience. Here's a breakdown of what they typically do:

- Deliver Keynotes and Workshops. They speak at industry conferences, healthcare summits, nonprofit events, or corporate training days. Topics might include dementia care strategies, caregiver mental health, or innovations in elder tech.

- Educate Through Storytelling. Many long-term care speakers use personal narratives to connect with audiences. For example, a speaker might recount their experience navigating long-term care for a parent with Parkinson's, using that story to highlight systemic gaps or emotional realities.

- Advise Policymakers and Organizations. Some speakers consult with governments or NGOs to shape eldercare policy. Others work with startups to ensure their products meet the real needs of aging populations.

- Appear on Media and Podcasts. They often join podcasts, webinars, or news segments to discuss timely issues - like the impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes or the future of home-based care.

- Create Educational Content. Beyond live talks, many develop courses, write books, or produce video series. These resources help caregivers, professionals, and families build long-term care literacy.

- Advocate for Change. Whether it's pushing for better caregiver pay or more inclusive elder housing, long-term care speakers often use their platform to drive social impact.

From a rural health summit in the Midwest to a global virtual event hosted in Dubai, long-term care speakers adapt their message to meet the moment - and the audience. Their work is as diverse as the people they serve.

If you're thinking about becoming a long-term care speaker, you're stepping into a space that needs more voices, more expertise, and more heart. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started and build momentum.

1. Define your niche and message.
- Long-term care is a broad field. Are you focusing on elder care, caregiving strategies, policy reform, or patient advocacy?
- Get specific. For example, if you've worked in hospice care or managed a senior living facility, that experience can shape your unique angle.

2. Build your credibility.
- Credentials matter. Whether it's a background in healthcare, social work, or personal caregiving, highlight your experience.
- Consider certifications like Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) or training in gerontology.

3. Create your speaker page.
- Use platforms like Talks.co to set up a professional speaker profile.
- Include a compelling bio, speaking topics, testimonials, and a high-quality headshot.
- Add a short video reel of you speaking, even if it's a mock presentation or a webinar clip.

4. Start speaking - anywhere.
- Look for local events, webinars, podcasts, or virtual summits focused on aging, healthcare, or caregiving.
- Reach out to event organizers or use Talks.co to connect with hosts looking for experts.

5. Collect feedback and refine.
- After each talk, ask for feedback and testimonials.
- Use that input to improve your delivery, clarify your message, and build social proof.

6. Promote yourself consistently.
- Share clips, quotes, and insights from your talks on LinkedIn, Facebook groups, or caregiving forums.
- Collaborate with other speakers or hosts to expand your reach.

Becoming a long-term care speaker isn't about being famous. It's about being useful, informed, and passionate. Start small, stay consistent, and keep showing up.

Being a long-term care speaker means more than just standing on a stage and sharing stories. It's about bringing value to audiences who are navigating complex systems, emotional decisions, and real-world challenges. So what exactly do you need to step into this role?

First, you need subject matter expertise. That doesn't always mean a PhD or decades in the industry, but it does mean you understand the nuances of long-term care. Whether you're a nurse, a policy advocate, a caregiver, or a facility manager, your experience must translate into actionable insights.

Second, communication skills are essential. You need to be able to simplify complex topics like Medicaid eligibility, dementia care, or facility regulations in a way that resonates with your audience. If you're not naturally confident on stage, consider joining a group like Toastmasters or practicing through webinars.

Third, you'll need a platform. This is where a speaker page on Talks.co can be a game-changer. It allows you to showcase your topics, availability, and past appearances. Event organizers can find you, vet your experience, and book you directly.

Fourth, you need a network. Connect with other professionals in the long-term care space. Join associations like the American Health Care Association (AHCA) or the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. These groups often host events and are always looking for speakers.

Finally, you need a clear message. What's your core idea? Are you advocating for policy change? Teaching caregivers how to avoid burnout? Helping families navigate end-of-life decisions? Your message should be focused, repeatable, and relevant.

In short, to be a long-term care speaker, you need expertise, clarity, a platform, and a passion for helping others navigate one of the most sensitive and critical areas of life.

Yes, long-term care speakers do get paid, but how much and how often depends on several factors. The long-term care industry is a mix of nonprofit, government, and private sector organizations, which means speaker budgets vary widely.

Let's break it down:

- Corporate events and healthcare conferences: These often have budgets for expert speakers. If you're presenting at a national conference like LeadingAge or the National Investment Center (NIC) for Seniors Housing & Care, you could earn anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 per session.

- Nonprofits and community events: These may offer lower fees or cover only travel and accommodations. However, they can be great for exposure and networking.

- Virtual summits and webinars: Some pay a flat fee, while others offer affiliate commissions or lead generation opportunities. Platforms like Talks.co help connect speakers with paid virtual opportunities.

- Workshops and training sessions: If you're offering a CEU-certified training for long-term care staff, you can charge per participant or per session.

Pros:
- Opportunity to earn while building your brand.
- Paid gigs often lead to more bookings.
- Some events cover travel, lodging, and per diem.

Cons:
- Not all events pay, especially early on.
- Payment timelines can vary (net 30, net 60, etc.).
- You may need to negotiate your own rates.

So yes, long-term care speakers can absolutely get paid. But like any speaking niche, it takes strategy, positioning, and persistence to turn it into a consistent revenue stream.

Long-term care speakers make money in a variety of ways, and the most successful ones diversify their income streams. Here's a breakdown of the most common revenue models:

1. Speaking Fees
- This is the most obvious source. Speakers charge a flat fee for keynotes, panels, or workshops.
- Rates vary based on experience, topic demand, and event size. For example, a keynote at a healthcare leadership summit may pay $5,000, while a local caregiver workshop might pay $500.

2. Virtual Events and Summits
- With platforms like Talks.co, speakers can join virtual summits and get paid through speaker stipends or affiliate commissions.
- Some events offer revenue sharing based on ticket sales or leads generated.

3. Consulting and Advisory Roles
- After a talk, organizations often bring speakers on as consultants to help implement strategies or train staff.
- This can lead to recurring income and long-term contracts.

4. Books, Courses, and Products
- Many speakers write books or create online courses related to long-term care topics like dementia care, Medicare navigation, or caregiver burnout.
- These products generate passive income and reinforce credibility.

5. Sponsorships and Brand Partnerships
- Speakers with a strong following may partner with healthcare brands, tech platforms, or eldercare services.
- These deals can include sponsored content, product mentions, or co-hosted events.

6. Training and Certification Programs
- Some speakers develop their own training programs for care facilities or family caregivers.
- These can be licensed or sold as packages to organizations.

In short, long-term care speakers who treat their speaking as a business - not just a passion - are the ones who build sustainable income. The key is to think beyond the stage and look at the full ecosystem of services you can offer.

Earnings for long-term care speakers can vary dramatically depending on experience, niche, and business model. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect:

Experience Level	Typical Fee per Talk	Annual Income Range
Beginner	$0 - $500	$0 - $10,000
Mid-Level	$500 - $2,500	$10,000 - $50,000
Expert/Niche Authority	$2,500 - $10,000+	$50,000 - $200,000+

Factors that influence income:
- Audience size and event type: Speaking at a national conference pays more than a local workshop.
- Virtual vs. in-person: Virtual events often pay less but can be more frequent and scalable.
- Add-on services: Offering consulting, training, or digital products can significantly increase total earnings.
For example, a speaker who charges $3,000 per keynote and books 20 events a year earns $60,000 from speaking alone. Add in a $99/month online course with 100 subscribers, and that's another $118,800 annually.
The top earners in this space often combine speaking with consulting, product sales, and strategic partnerships. So while the average speaker might earn $20,000 to $40,000 a year, those who treat it as a full business can scale well beyond six figures.

If you're looking to hire a long-term care speaker, the cost depends on several variables: experience, topic complexity, event type, and location. Here's a breakdown to help you budget:

Speaker Tier	Typical Fee Range	Notes
Emerging Speaker	$0 - $500	May speak for exposure or testimonials.
Mid-Level Professional	$500 - $2,500	Often has niche expertise and experience.
High-Demand Expert	$2,500 - $10,000+	Nationally recognized or published.

Additional costs to consider:
- Travel and lodging: If the speaker is flying in, expect to cover airfare, hotel, and per diem.
- Virtual event tech: Some speakers charge extra for custom slides, tech setup, or platform licensing.
- Workshops or breakouts: If you want more than a keynote, such as a half-day training, that usually costs more.
For example, a speaker specializing in dementia care might charge $3,000 for a keynote at a regional healthcare summit, plus $1,500 for a breakout session and $500 in travel expenses.
If you're using a platform like Talks.co, you can filter by budget and speaker availability, making it easier to find someone who fits your event and financial plan.
Bottom line: Long-term care speakers are an investment in education, engagement, and impact. Choose based on value, not just price.

Here's a list of standout long-term care speakers who've made a lasting impact across healthcare, policy, and caregiving:

- Dr. Bill Thomas: A physician and geriatrician, he's known for the Eden Alternative and his TEDx talks on aging. His work has reshaped how we think about elder care.

- Teepa Snow: One of the most recognized dementia care educators in the world. Her Positive Approach to Care method is used globally.

- Joan Lunden: Former Good Morning America host turned caregiving advocate after caring for her mother. She's spoken at AARP and caregiving summits.

- Dr. Atul Gawande: While not solely focused on long-term care, his book 'Being Mortal' and related talks have influenced healthcare policy and end-of-life care.

- Carol Levine: A long-time advocate for family caregivers, she's spoken extensively on policy, ethics, and the future of long-term care.

- Howard Gleckman: Senior fellow at the Urban Institute and author of 'Caring for Our Parents'. His talks blend economics, policy, and personal insight.

- Judith Graham: A health journalist who frequently speaks on aging and caregiving trends.

- Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel: Known for his work on healthcare reform, he's spoken on the ethics and economics of long-term care.

These speakers have shaped the conversation around aging, caregiving, and healthcare systems. Their influence spans decades and continues to inform how professionals and families approach long-term care.

Looking globally, these long-term care speakers are making waves with their insights, advocacy, and innovation:

- Teepa Snow (USA): Internationally recognized for her dementia care training. Her workshops are used in over 30 countries.

- Dr. Bill Thomas (USA): His global influence includes speaking tours in Europe and Australia, promoting eldercare reform.

- Dr. Naoko Muramatsu (Japan): A gerontologist who speaks on aging in East Asia and the challenges of Japan's super-aged society.

- Dr. Alexandre Kalache (Brazil): Former WHO director of aging. He speaks globally on age-friendly cities and long-term care infrastructure.

- Dr. Jane Barratt (Australia): Secretary General of the International Federation on Ageing (IFA). She speaks at UN forums and international summits.

- Dr. David Grabowski (USA): Harvard professor and long-term care policy expert. Frequently speaks at global health forums.

- Dr. Keren Brown Wilson (USA): Pioneer of assisted living in the U.S., she's consulted and spoken internationally on aging models.

- Dr. Sarah Harper (UK): Founder of the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing. She's a leading voice on global aging trends.

- Dr. John Beard (Australia): Former WHO Director of Ageing and Life Course. He's spoken on global strategies for long-term care.

These speakers bring cross-cultural perspectives and policy-level insights that shape how countries approach aging and care. Whether you're organizing a global summit or looking for an international keynote, these names are worth knowing.

Let's talk about some of the biggest misconceptions floating around about long-term care speakers. These myths can hold people back from entering the field or undervalue the impact these professionals have.

- Myth 1: Long-term care speakers only talk to healthcare professionals.
This assumption misses the mark. While healthcare providers are a key audience, long-term care speakers also engage with policymakers, family caregivers, insurance companies, and even tech innovators. For example, speakers like Dr. Bill Thomas have addressed audiences ranging from TEDx stages to senior housing developers, showing the broad relevance of their message.

- Myth 2: You need to be a medical expert to be a long-term care speaker.
Not true. While clinical knowledge helps, many successful speakers come from backgrounds in social work, caregiving, business, or even tech. What matters more is your ability to communicate clearly, tell compelling stories, and offer actionable insights. Think of someone like Lori La Bey, founder of Alzheimer's Speaks, who built her platform through lived experience and advocacy, not a medical degree.

- Myth 3: The field is too niche to build a career.
Actually, the aging population is growing globally, and with it, the demand for informed, engaging speakers on elder care, dementia, aging in place, and long-term care policy. Conferences, webinars, corporate trainings, and government initiatives all need voices who can translate complex issues into relatable content. It's not niche, it's specialized-and that's a strength.

- Myth 4: Long-term care speakers just repeat statistics and policy updates.
That's like saying chefs just read recipes aloud. The best speakers in this space use data as a launchpad, not a crutch. They weave in storytelling, case studies, and audience interaction. They might use real-life examples from rural nursing homes in Canada or tech-enabled elder care in Japan to illustrate their points.

Bottom line? Long-term care speakers are more diverse, impactful, and in-demand than most people realize. If you're passionate about aging, care systems, or social change, this could be your lane.

When you look at the journeys of successful long-term care speakers, what stands out isn't just their credentials-it's their clarity of message and their ability to connect across sectors.

Take Teepa Snow. She started as an occupational therapist, but her approach to dementia care-practical, empathetic, and deeply human-resonated far beyond clinical settings. Her Positive Approach to Care® model became a global training framework. She didn't just speak at conferences. She built a movement, with videos reaching millions and workshops held in over 30 countries.

Then there's Dr. Al Power, a geriatrician who challenged the medicalized view of dementia. His talks blend philosophy, ethics, and real-world practice. He doesn't just present research-he reframes how we think about autonomy and dignity in long-term care. His books and speeches have influenced care models in Scandinavia, Australia, and the U.S.

In a different lane, we have Ai-jen Poo, who speaks not just to care providers but to policymakers and the public. As director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, she's used her platform to advocate for better conditions for home care workers. Her TED Talk and appearances at global summits show how long-term care intersects with labor rights, immigration, and economic justice.

And let's not forget regional voices like Dr. Samir Sinha in Canada, who combines academic research with public speaking to influence national elder care strategies. His presentations are data-rich but always grounded in practical solutions.

What ties these stories together? Each speaker found a unique angle-whether it was training, advocacy, or systems change-and built trust with their audience. They didn't just inform. They inspired action.

So where is the world of long-term care speakers heading? If you're thinking about stepping into this space-or leveling up your presence-here are some key shifts to watch.

First, expect a surge in demand for speakers who can bridge the gap between tech and care. With AI-powered monitoring systems, telehealth, and smart home devices becoming more common in elder care, organizations are hungry for voices who can explain these tools in plain language. Think of someone who can talk about robotics in Japanese nursing homes and make it relevant to a U.S. home health agency.

Second, diversity will matter more than ever. Audiences are looking for speakers who understand cultural nuances in caregiving, from multigenerational households in Latin America to community-based elder care in Indigenous populations. If you bring a global or culturally specific perspective, your voice is needed.

Third, hybrid formats are here to stay. Long-term care conferences, webinars, and training events are increasingly digital or hybrid. That means speakers need to master not just stage presence but camera presence. Being able to engage a virtual audience with clarity and energy is no longer optional.

Fourth, content is king-but delivery is queen. Speakers who can package their insights into short-form video, podcasts, or interactive workshops will have more opportunities. Think beyond the keynote. Can you offer a 3-part training series? A downloadable toolkit? A live Q&A session?

Here are a few more trends to keep on your radar:
- Policy fluency. With aging policy in flux globally, speakers who can interpret legislation and funding changes will be in demand.
- Care economy framing. Framing long-term care as part of the broader economy (like Ai-jen Poo does) opens doors to new audiences.
- Interdisciplinary storytelling. Speakers who can connect healthcare, economics, ethics, and technology in one talk will stand out.

The future isn't just about more speaking gigs. It's about more meaningful ones. If you can help people navigate this complex, evolving space with clarity and empathy, you'll be ahead of the curve.

- Talks.co. A podcast guest matching platform that helps you get booked on relevant shows. If you're just starting out, this is a great way to build credibility and practice your message in a lower-stakes setting.

- SpeakerHub. A directory where you can list your speaker profile, browse events, and connect with organizers. Make sure your profile clearly states your niche in long-term care and includes a strong video clip.

- Canva. For creating polished slide decks, social media graphics, and speaker one-sheets. Use templates to keep your branding consistent across platforms.

- Otter.ai. Transcribe your talks, webinars, or interviews. This helps you repurpose content into blog posts, articles, or even a book.

- Coursera - Public Speaking Courses. Brush up on your delivery skills with free or low-cost courses from top universities. Look for ones that focus on persuasive speaking or storytelling.

- LinkedIn Events. Host your own webinars or live Q&As. This is a great way to build an audience and test your material before pitching to larger conferences.

- Google Scholar. Stay updated on the latest research in aging, dementia, and long-term care. Quoting recent studies can add authority to your talks.

- Zoom. Not just for meetings. Use Zoom to host workshops, record practice sessions, or deliver keynotes remotely. Invest in a good mic and lighting setup to look and sound professional.

Each of these tools supports a different part of your journey-from visibility and content creation to delivery and credibility. Start with one or two, then expand as your speaking career grows.